Elephant Butte Lake down to eight-year low

Water lines caused by almost a century of evaporation circle around Elephant Butte Island. In September, the water level in the lake hit an eight-year low. (Robin Zielinski/Las Cruces Sun-News)

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES - On the landmark volcanic knoll that gives Elephant Butte Lake its name are an array of evaporation-induced water lines, like bathtub rings, from the reservoir's nearly century-old existence.

"The water level you see there - that's when it was full," said Daniel Lewis, 27, a laborer who worked near the historic Dam Site recreation area last week.